Dole: Any generation can be great

ASHEVILLE, N.C.  Any generation can rise to the challenge of fighting evil, be it Japanese bombers over Pearl Harbor or terrorists in New York City, former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole said.

"Any generation can be a great generation," said Dole, whose own generation was given that moniker in Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation."

Dole spoke Saturday night in an appearance that was partly for his wife, U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Dole, and part fund-raiser for the 11th Congressional District's Republican Party.

Party faithfuls paid $150 or $300 each to pose for pictures with the former Kansas senator.

It was his first appearance as a surrogate for his wife in North Carolina since she entered the Senate race, he said.

"They gave me all these nice things to say about her as though I didn't know her," he said with a laugh. "Well, I do know her. She's a hard worker. She'll never let you down."

Elizabeth Dole opposes former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot and Salisbury doctor Ada Fisher in the Republican primary race for the seat currently held by Sen. Jesse Helms.

If ending terrorism isn't this generation's goal, then our children and grandchildren will be left to fight it, Dole said.

"Americans are meant to be masters of destiny, not victims of fate," he said. "We can't let a handful of zealots close us down. We live in the greatest country on the face of the earth, and we want to keep it that way."